Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy (4-1 on penalties) recap - Azzurri fail to qualify for World Cup after heartbreaking play-off shoot-out defeat

Bosnia and Herzegovina are jetting off to only the second World Cup in their history after coming from behind to beat Italy 4-1 on penalties (1-1 AET) in a dramatic play-off final in Zenica.

Moise Kean gave Italy the dream start as he fired in an emphatic opener on 16 minutes, taking advantage of an error from Nikola Vasilj with a bullet into the top corner.

But a red card for Azzurri defender Alessandro Bastoni on the verge of half-time - a last-man challenge on Amar Memic - gave Bosnia hope, and the hosts came out firing in the second half.

Bosnia, who ended the night with 30 shots and 11 on target, eventually netted a deserved equaliser as impact substitute Haris Tabakovic poked home from close range in the 79th minute.

Forcing the tie to extra time, Bosnia pushed for a winner and had several great chances but were so often denied by Italy's formidable shot-stopper, Gianluigi Donnarumma.

That said, Italy remained a threat on the counter-attack and Francesco Pio Esposito had an excellent chance to win it for the visitors in extra time, denied by a superb Vasilj save at point-blank range.

It was Esposito who missed Italy's first penalty in the shootout, blazing over the crossbar. Sandro Tonali dispatched his spot-kick beautifully to reduce Italy's deficit but Bryan Cristante's effort thundered back off the crossbar, giving Bosnia the chance to win it.

The home side, three out of three before Cristante's miss, maintained their 100 per cent record in the shootout as Esmir Bajraktarevic scored the winning penalty.

It was bedlam for the nearly 9,000 home fans at the Bilino Polje Stadion. But it was absolute heartbreak for the Italians, who fail to make a third successive World Cup. The painstaking wait persists.

Italy fail to qualify for yet another World Cup and will have to wait until at least 2030 for their next shot at football's most illustrious prize.

The last time they won a knockout fixture at a World Cup finals was in 2006, when they beat France in the final.

In 2010, Gli Azzurri were eliminated at the group stage with just two points. In 2014, they were knocked out alongside England behind Costa Rica and Uruguay.

Italy haven't been since. And their wait for another World Cup continues.

Bosnia, meanwhile, are in dreamland.

Esmir Bajraktarevic scores his penalty and Bosnia and Herzegovina are going to the World Cup!

Donnarumma was so close to saving it as he got a hand on Bajraktarevic's effort, but it's heartbreak for Italy, who miss out on a third successive World Cup finals.

Stick around for all the reaction.

Italy miss another! Cristante thumps it against the crossbar!

Bosnia are on the verge of history!!

Cool as a cucumber from the 18-year-old Alajbegovic, who slots past Donnarumma for 3-1.

That's beautifully dispatched by Tonali, into the bottom left corner to reduce the deficit, making it 2-1 to Bosnia after two penalties apiece.

What a penalty that is, rocketed into the top right to make it 2-0 to Bosnia.

Tabakovic, who scored Bosnia's equaliser in regular time, was never going to miss.

Unbelievable! Esposito fires over the bar from Italy's first penalty.

It was a terrible spot-kick as the 20-year-old got right under the ball.

Bosnia have the advantage.

Bosnia captain Edin Dzeko is in severe pain ahead of this shootout, after falling awkwardly on his shoulder at the end of extra time.

He might not be able to participate...

Bosnia are throwing the kitchen sink at this but Italy are holding on for dear life.

Tahirovic fires just wide from outside the area for Bosnia's 30th shot of the night, but that might be their last chance gone.

Amir Hadziahmetovic, currently on loan at Hull City in the Championship, comes on to replace Demirovic for the final few minutes.

Katic catches Tonali late and receives a deserved booking.

Both of Bosnia's centre-halves are on thin ice now.

Donnarumma has just made his tenth save of the night, this time denying Alajbegovic.

It was a routine stop, but another nonetheless.

Level with the Italians, and with a chance of progressing on penalties, Bosnia could sit in and defend to keep the score level at 1-1.

But they still carry the man advantage and want to win this in open play.

There are still 10 minutes to find a winner.

Esposito has been excellent in extra time, and his latest involvement forces a big block from Muharemovic.

The 20-year-old striker tried to poke the ball into the bottom right but Bosnia's centre-half did just enough to turn it behind for a corner, which comes to nothing.

The second period of extra time begins.

Esposito is somehow denied a headed goal by Nikola Vasilj, who tries to make amends for his first-half error with a terrific save at point-blank range.

It was brilliant play from Palestra to find Esposito at the far post. But Bosnia survive Italy's flurry.